News archive: September 2006

Speaking about genetically modified rice, Dr Doug Gurian-Sherman, a former biotech specialist at the US government’s Environmental Protection Agency and Senior Scientist at the Centre For Food Safety said:

“Risks should not be taken with public health for the convenience of companies or of government.”

On the basis of the incomplete evidence currently available, he went on to say:

“I wouldn’t eat it myself.”

The Telegraph reports, “Tyrrells Potato Chips, an independent Herefordshire-based company with a turnover of just £10m, had refused to supply its upmarket ranges to Tesco but found that the retailer was selling its products at a reduced price in 70 stores, having sourced them on the grey market. Following complaints from Tyrrells, Tesco declined to stop selling the products. So Will Chase, Tyrrells’ founder, appointed HBJ Gateley Wareing, the law firm, to examine his legal options. Tesco – which has a turnover of £39.5bn – said yesterday that it would ‘respect Tyrrells’ decision’ and stop selling the lines. The move came a day after Tesco announced a major initiative to boost links with small suppliers as it looks to shed its bully-boy image.” The Telegraph

A special report in The Independent titled Disappearing World takes a look at the impact of climate change. In an article stating that Britain must act now to cut carbon emissions or pay the price later, Cahal Milmo reports, The first comprehensive account of the measures needed to ensure Britain does its bit to avoid dangerous climate change – by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, one of the leading scientific bodies on global warming – is published today with a warning that failure to act now will only require more drastic action at a later date. The study found that the UK needs to cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 70 per cent over the next 30 years. The reduction is far greater than that planned by the Government, which has set a target of a 60 per cent reduction by 2050. (The Independent)